Day 4 - 163 -- Re-establishing Routine

The first day back to work after a week away can be overwhelming. I had tried to clear out unnecessary e-mails while away, but there were still so many to go through when I arrived at work today. It took much of my day to delete most and deal with the few that needed my attention. I had been at a conference, so the pace there had been frenetic. Early starts over breakfast and late endings with later dinners. It isn't a relaxing vacation. It is a change, but not a rest <smile>. This means that I come back to work in a somewhat fatigued state. The conference ended Saturday, when I traveled back home and spent Sunday catching up on home chores. That was the closest to a day 'off' as I've had in two weeks. Getting back into the swing of the usual non-teaching routine seems to take some time. Today, I was very weary likely due to the heat and humidity at home disrupting sleep patterns.

As much as I like to think of myself as a bit spontaneous and flexible, it seems I, like those around me, am a creature of habit. Some have a much more rigid schedule but we all seem to have a rhythm that works best for each of us. Disruptions to such patterns from weather changes, travel or unexpected events create increased stress levels. These, in turn, result in further disruption feelings. It seems to take a fair amount of work to find the normalcy we crave. The work can be difficult to do when tired and agitated from a forced change of pace and routine. Understanding our need for a day or two to recentre and then return to the usual work and personal routine may help. Sadly, it may be that many of us feel we can just 'do it' without realizing we may be part of the problem we are working to solve. <smile> Mindfulness may be needed here to remember to be kind to ourselves.

The song phrase that ran through my mind when pondering the work situation is one of my dad's favourites.  It is one from his youth and one that I heard as a youngster, too. The lyrics present the feeling of calm once one gets back in the game. Enjoy!

Back in the Saddle Again -- Gene Autry